( 272 ) 

 PASSAGES FROM A MILITARY JOURNAL. 



ATTACK ON A SPANISH CONVENT. 



" September 21s/, 1812 : 9, P.M. Ordered at day-break to quit our position, giv- 

 ing place to a couple of troops of light dragoons call in our patrols, and make for a 

 convent some miles in advance. Building occupied by French infantry, who are for- 

 tifying its walls. Report goes they have several light pieces of artillery with them, 

 and intend to make it a strong position. The French left, two or three leagues dis- 

 tant S.E. Directed, with the help of four companies of light infantry and two six- 

 pounders, to beat them out, if possible, and establish our own soldiery within its 

 gates." 



ON a reference to my journal of the above date, I find the passage 

 above ; and, as I perfectly remember the circumstances under which 

 we were enabled to drive the French out of the position, will continue 

 the narrative from memory. Some of the details may not prove 

 uninteresting. 



At day-break our trumpets broke upon our slumbers, if slumbers, 

 indeed, we were enjoying, with the accustomed " boot and saddle." 

 A few minutes served us all, I make no duubt, for donning our gar- 

 ments, accoutrements, and arms ; and, in two more, each man was at 

 his horse's side, ready, at the word, to spring into the saddle. 



" Mount !" was the word; and, at the order, scabbards and sabre- 

 taches] clattering, we placed foot in stirrup, and were instantly on 

 horseback. 



" Captain II ," said our major, " follow Captain E : yours 



is the second troop." 



The requisite order was immediately given to the men, who, 

 wheeling round, cantered after the leading troop. 



" Do we wait for our supporters, Major?" said I, as I reined in 

 my curvetting Bucephalus. *' Where are the light bobs and artillery ?" 



" Ahead ; some distance now upon their way but we shall soon 

 overtake them. You are aware the forcing of this building will fall 

 principally to their account. We are to cover their flanks, protect 

 their advance, and, if necessary, cover their retreat. If requisite, 

 we shall also assist in storming all defences we may meet with, cut 

 off str a g o-lers, and, if taken, spread ourselves around the building. 

 We must part ; the last troop is now wheeling into marching order.'' 



"Very good," said I, freeing the reins, and letting my courser 

 prance over the ground. 



Our way for some time lay through a straggling woody ground, 

 sloping off sometimes, and sometimes rising abruptly. The morning 

 promised to be fine, and the sweet fresh air, impregnated with the 

 clear and sparkling dew of the very early hour, was both invigorat- 

 ing and exhilarating. Just as we emerged from some groups of 

 cork trees, the sun shot redly up over a line of distant mountains, and 

 began to shed a pale lustre through the trunks of the trees over the 

 verdant surface of the ground. 



We had ridden two or three miles, when we discovered, some dis- 

 tance before us, the four companies of infantry, with the two pieces 



